Third Time's A Charm

Hey all our devoted readers -

I just wanted to drop you all a line since we haven't talked in a while. We'll get with a long post in a few days - you know, the holidays are a busy time. Presents, travel, having babies... the usual.

Well, I think we here at the Bishop 3 have added another holiday pastime: going to the hospital!



Ben has RSV - yes, the dreaded RSV. Respiratory Syncytial Virus. If you feel up for a CSI moment, look back through the blog posts and see if you can find where Ben got RSV. Its pretty obvious.

He's on an IV and has had a bit of oxygen. His oxygen is between 88 and 93% - which is not bad, but not great either. He has a bunch of wires connected to him too - but the key thing is that he's resting, breathing well, and eating. All of this points to him getting better.



The white cast is his IV, which he was a little trooper when they stuck him.

The doctors want to keep him for a few days - so we'll be celebrating New Year's Day in the hospital. When I kept saying that I wanted to be in the hospital with Ben on Jan. 1st, this wasn't the way I envisioned. Being born on Jan 1st, you get free stuff. Being sick on Jan 1st, you get snot. Lots of snot.

So to wrap things up - things are looking better and we'll be out in a few days. So if we don't talk to you before then, Merry Xmas, Happy New Year and all that jazz.




Boy, do I have a way with kids.


- Brian

Merry Christmas - The Bishop 3 Edition!

Okay, here's an attempt at putting more video on the blog. We had a little bit of awake time on Xmas eve day, so get to know the awake and happy Benjamin Lee Bishop!





Here's the hospital - take 2. Ben's bilirubin was constantly climbing after we got home on Tuesday evening. On Friday, the pediatrician sent us directly to the hospital. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200 dollars. Add to that my bad cold and Patti's spinal headache (she couldn't stand up without being floored), and we were quite the crew.

It turns out blue light cures babies. Of everything. I don't know how - what do you think, I'm a doctor? Contemplate the irony as you watch our hospital visit for Ben's bilirubin treatment:





More to come! Stay tuned. Same Ben time, same Ben channel.


- Brian

Ben is One Week Old! They grow up so fast, don't they?

I thought I'd try to give you a little update myself while Ben is sleeping. It's good to be home, AGAIN! Ben ended up in the hospital again on Friday because of his jaundice. Pretty common in babies, especially those that are a bit early. His was reaching "toxic" levels and they wanted him under the lights. I was able to stay with him, and Brian got to go home and sleep all night. He's been fighting a pretty bad cold all week so he needed it. I wasn't so lucky with sleep in the hospital. I just wanted my little guy home. We got to come home last night (Saturday) and it's been good to try to get settled in again.


Other than Brian having a cold, and Ben being radioactive yellow, we're all doing pretty well. My headache is gone. For those who don't know, I ended up with spinal fluid leak from my epidural (which I don't think worked anyway). It is basically a really bad migraine any time you sit up or stand. I did get a treatment called a blood patch on Tuesday before we left, but it didn't hold, and by Wednesday night I had the headache again. But, like I said, it is gone now, so I'm feeling pretty great taking care of Ben. He's been such a good baby. He eats well, sleeps well, and has these alert times that are so great to watch.

I thought I'd attach some pictures. There are a couple of us leaving the hospital (the first time). Then Ben under the lights. I thought those eye patches were so funny. He looked like a masked super hero! And yes, he HATED them. Then a picture of him and me when we got the ok to leave the hospital (the second time).


We've had a lot of family around which has been nice considering how we're all feeling. Brian's parents came Monday through Friday and REALLY helped out. We also got to celebrate a little Christmas with them. My parents and sister, Stephanie, came for a day and then are coming back next week. My sister, Lenore and niece Meghan came last night and stayed through today. She's now staying at my parents due to Blizzard 08 that she tried to drive home through and only made it to Kalamazoo. Then my little sister is coming tomorrow for a couple of days.

I'm hoping Brian gets a video up soon, I can try this week, too. We've got some good stuff! Ok, I better go. I see little eyes trying to open and look at me now. I just cannot wait to share him with everyone! He is so stinking cute!

Love you all!

More pics, more fun!

MORE PICTURES!

You asked for 'em, you got 'em.

Video to follow!


- Brian

Some Pics to Tide You Over

Hey everyone - we're home. We're safe. We're parents!

Goodbye Major League Bishop.

Hello Benjamin Lee Bishop!


7lbs, 13 ozs

21.75 inches long

Born: December 14th, 2008 at 4:59pm


I'll get to more later. Love you all!

- The Bishop 3

Ummmm....

Hi - Brian here. Short and sweet post.

We're going to the hospital.

Patti's water broke.

See you on the flip side....


- Brian

Ticking Time Bomb

Yes, that's me right now. A ticking time bomb! As you can imagine, no baby yet. Everything is fine, I'm healthy, baby is healthy. I've had several instances of contractions that can be quite bad. They go on for 12 hours or so, but never get any closer than 8minutes or so and then just stop again. So, my "body is preparing." Well, gotta be honest, I'm getting a little sick of preparing. Let's just go! I know, it's best for him, so I'll deal. I have started going back to work. I worked part days, then now I'm on full days again. I'm pretty worn out by the end of the day but work has been great. I just don't want to use up too much of my time off before baby is born. I think that's it. We'll keep you updated when ever there is an update. Brian's dying to put up an updated picture of my belly and I'm trying hard to stop him, but I think I will ultimately lose this battle. I know it will be probably be fun to look back at how huge I got some day. Right now...not so fun!

Still here. Still pregnant.

Happy Saturday! Well I'm still here and I'm still pregnant. It hasn't been so bad, other than there is so much I want and need to do and I'm not supposed to do it! The rest seems to have done the trick though. Thursday night, I was up almost all night with contractions that were pretty regular. I thought for sure that was it. Then, Friday morning it all just kinda stopped. I have occasional contractions that can be quite bad, but they are few and far between now. So, I rest...I'm getting pretty bored. Abby has been a great companion. She knows something is up and is sticking right by my side. She's cute. And Brian is great. He's busily getting things ready. He's putting together baby stuff, cleaning, running my errands, packed our bags, all the things we thought we had another 3 or so weeks to get done. And it still could be another week or so...or...it could be today! Christmas shopping is pretty much a dream right now. I hope everyone will understand! If I'm home much longer, I suppose I can get some internet shopping done. The doctor did say I can go back to work next week if no baby and no contractions. She did say the only reason she would allow that is because she is "more comfortable" with me going into labor next week. So, we'll see. Another words, as soon as I get moving she thinks I'll have this baby.


Hope everyone is well. We'll keep you updated. I thought I would add an old Christmas picture of our family so far. Soon, there will be a fourth there!

Love you all!

Blog Blog Blog

Ok, so here's an update for you! I am home with my feet up, "taking it easy." Why? Well, I started having some pretty good contractions this morning. To the point where I thought I should call the doctor. Of course they said to come in to check me. Well, I was having contractions, I am dilated to 2cm, and freaking out. The contractions are still not regular and when I rested on the monitor for a while I was able to go about 20minutes without one which means I'm not quite ready, but close. The doctor ordered me to come home, rest, and call if anything changes or they become more regular. The doctor did say to make an appointment for one week but that she will "likely see me sooner." I'm trying not to get my hopes up because I know this could go a while longer still. And the doctor is pretty set on me trying to stay pregnant another week as I am only 35weeks right now, but didn't seem too confident that would happen. We'll see. I'm excited but nervous. I know it's a bit early and I just want what's best for him. The doctor wants me to be done with work which stinks because I wanted to take all my time off with my baby. But, again, I want what's best for my little man, so I'm staying home from work. I think that's about it. I hope daytime tv has improved some since last I was able to experience it!

Love you all!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy December Everyone! I thought I would include a picture my sister, Stephanie, took this weekend at the cottage of my three nieces and one of my nephews. From the left, it's Devin(6), Meghan(5), Morgan(2), and Lianna(8). Brian, Abby, and I had a great time at the cottage with my family this past weekend. Abby is exhausted! She had a ball playing on the beach with Lily, Madie, and Syd (all the dogs). I did pretty well. I'm feeling HUGE! We really only have a few more weeks until baby boy Bishop joins us. My family was great, and helped me just take it easy. The kids are so sweet! They would bring me my water, draw me pictures, and were just so stinking cute! They reminded me how fast time goes by. I feel like each and every one of them were born yesterday, and now look at them! Blake is the only one not in the picture and I hope to get a video of him up soon. He is so adorable and just made me want my little boy.

I spoke with Jen yesterday and she and Jackson are home and adjusting well. They're both mending well and it sounds like Scott is taking good care of both of them. I cannot wait to see them all and hold that baby!

Other than us just waiting to have this baby and trying to get everything done prior to, not a whole lot going on. Christmas shopping has yet to get started, we still need a crib (yikes), find a day care (yikes yikes), and I can barely move once I get done with work to do any of it. I started putting up Christmas decorations tonight and now I'm waiting for Brian to get home to finish because I'm so sore and tired. We'll get it all done.

Happy December to all!